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United States Patent | 5,236,398 |
Barnett | August 17, 1993 |
A drive apparatus and method for continuously transmitting power to an axle to rotatingly drive the axle are disclosed. The drive apparatus includes a flexible ratch such as a flexible chain, belt, or cable, and cooperating first and second ratch engaging members for alternatively engaging the flexible ratch to continuously drive an axle. To operate the apparatus, one moves the first and second ratch engaging members in a first direction which causes the first ratch engaging member to engage and drive the flexible ratch which rotatingly drives the axle. One then reverses the ratch engaging members' direction of movement which causes the simultaneous releasing and engaging of the ratch by the first and second ratch engaging members, respectively, which continuously drives the axle.
Inventors: | Barnett; Franklin E. (2054 So. Iola Ct., Aurora, CO 80014) |
Assignee: | Barnett; Franklin E. (Aurora, CO); Smith; Brian D. (Highlands Ranch, CO) |
Appl. No.: | 924181 |
Filed: | August 3, 1992 |
Current U.S. Class: | 474/149; 280/246; 280/250.1; 280/255; 280/258; 297/DIG.4; 474/150 |
Intern'l Class: | F16H 007/00 |
Field of Search: | 474/148-150 280/200,225,242.1,248-250,250.1,252,253,261,304.1,246,255,258 297/DIG. 4 |
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